Keep an eye on Wal-Mart

August 22, 2013

We are writing regarding the proposed Wal-Mart store at 39th and State Streets. Before another Wal-Mart is built in any of the black communities of Chicago, there needs to be a comprehensive community benefits agreement that has provisions for a local hiring preference and a living wage for its employees. In addition, there should be an audit of the community residents currently working at local Wal-Mart stores, and the wages they are receiving.

Some may argue that Wal-Mart brings economic development to distressed communities. While the black communities of Chicago do need economic development, this can also be achieved by raising the standard of living of the current residents within the community. If a store pays higher wages, those residents earn more and can do more. The black communities of Chicago deserve this of any large retailer that will benefit from expanding into the black inner-city markets. Wal-Mart has not built major stores in black communities until recently. This may be largely a result of the largest retailer in the world having to continue to expand into new markets in order to keep increasing its profits—thus, the expansion into major urban areas and black communities. With that in mind, Wal-Mart has more to gain than what they could possibly lose by providing a living wage for its workers.

But before another Wal-Mart is built in Chicago, community residents need to call on their local aldermen to get an audit of the Wal-Mart stores in the black communities. This audit would include a count of how many community residents work in those stores, and how many of their employees receive the required $8.75 per hour as required by city ordinance. Some Wal-Mart stores have been using temp services. By paying those workers minimum wage, they avoid paying a wage $0.50 above minimum wage. It would be different if this was a struggling company that did not have the means to be good partners to communities and its employees. Wal-Mart is the largest retailer in the world. Four of the richest people in America are Waltons—the family that owns Wal-Mart. So this is not a question of means, but of greed.

When is enough, enough? When do we not allow corporate interests to take precedence over constituent and community interests? Walmart must agree to a community benefits agreement that requires a local hiring preference (within two miles of the store) for jobs and a living wage of $11.53 per hour. This wage is in standing with a city ordinance that requires most companies with contracts with the city of Chicago to pay their cashiers, security and other workers this amount. Because Walmart has not entered into a contract with the city, they are exempt from this ordinance.

If we want to increase the quality of life for community residents, we must provide all with the opportunity to find gainful employment that will provide a living wage, and hold the potential for economic self-sufficiency. There are many Bronzeville residents who can benefit from a CBA with these provisions. If you want to see our full CBA proposal, please go to www.lbhopecenter.com.